NameCensus.

UK surname

Roda

A place name-derived surname indicating origins from or near a town named Roda.

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Roda surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 125, ranked #26,827, up from #33,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leeds, Slough and Ealing.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Roda is 131 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 4066.7%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

125

2016, ranked #26,827

Peak year

2014

131 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Roda had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 125 in 2016, ranked #26,827.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Roda surname distribution map

The map shows where the Roda surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Roda surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Roda over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 7 #32,070
1861 historical 11 #32,452
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1891 historical 10 #33,355
1901 historical 7 #33,435
1911 historical 7 #33,083
1997 modern 73 #30,306
1998 modern 76 #30,386
1999 modern 79 #30,243
2000 modern 81 #30,036
2001 modern 81 #29,828
2002 modern 93 #28,920
2003 modern 96 #28,381
2004 modern 95 #28,746
2005 modern 101 #27,854
2006 modern 103 #27,785
2007 modern 107 #27,557
2008 modern 111 #27,225
2009 modern 108 #28,311
2010 modern 115 #27,874
2011 modern 122 #26,647
2012 modern 112 #28,174
2013 modern 130 #26,074
2014 modern 131 #26,089
2015 modern 127 #26,494
2016 modern 125 #26,827

Geography

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Where Rodas are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leeds, Slough, Ealing and Kensington and Chelsea. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leeds 053 Leeds
2 Slough 005 Slough
3 Ealing 023 Ealing
4 Leeds 030 Leeds
5 Kensington and Chelsea 008 Kensington and Chelsea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Roda

These lists show first names that appear often with the Roda surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Roda

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Roda, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Roda surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Roda household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Roda is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Roda is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Roda falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Roda is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

This describes the area pattern most associated with Roda, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Roda

The surname Roda originated in Italy during the medieval period. It is derived from the Latin word "rota," meaning "wheel." This name likely referred to someone who lived near a waterwheel or worked as a wheelwright.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Roda can be found in the Codice Diplomatico della Lombardia Medievale, a collection of medieval documents from the region of Lombardy. In a document dated 1148, a certain "Petrus de Roda" is mentioned as a witness to a land transaction.

In the 13th century, the name Roda appeared in the records of the city of Verona, where a family bearing this surname held prominent positions within the local government. Notably, in 1289, a certain Raimondo Roda served as a judge and member of the city council.

By the 14th century, the Roda family had established itself in the Republic of Venice, where they were involved in maritime trade. In 1347, a Venetian merchant named Marco Roda is recorded as having led a trading expedition to the Black Sea region.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname Roda was the Italian Renaissance architect and sculptor, Francesco di Giorgio Martini (1439-1501), who was also known as Francesco di Giorgio da Roda. He was born in the town of Roda, near Siena, and made significant contributions to the architectural style of the Renaissance period.

Another notable figure was the Italian scientist and philosopher, Gian Battista Roda (1708-1765), who was born in Rovigo, Veneto. He made important contributions to the fields of physics and mathematics and was a member of the Accademia delle Scienze di Torino.

In the 19th century, the Italian poet and writer, Giuseppe Roda (1832-1902), gained recognition for his works celebrating the beauty of his native region of Piedmont. He was born in the town of Bra and is considered one of the most notable literary figures from that area.

The surname Roda also has a presence in other parts of Europe, such as Spain, where it is believed to have been introduced by Italian immigrants during the Renaissance period. One notable Spanish individual with this surname was the painter and engraver, José Roda (1736-1803), who was born in Valencia and is known for his religious works.

Throughout its history, the surname Roda has been associated with various professions, including artisans, merchants, scholars, and artists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of those who bore this name across different regions of Italy and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Roda families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Roda surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 2 Rodas recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.84x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 2 6.84x
Lancashire 1 2.88x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 1 Rodas recorded in 1881 and an index of 47.39x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 1 47.39x
St Andrew Holborn 1 1000.00x
St Anne Soho London 1 588.24x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Roda surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Eliza 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Roda surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Juvento 1
Paul 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Roda households.

FAQ

Roda surname: questions and answers

How common was the Roda surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Roda surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Roda surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 125 in 2016. That gives Roda a modern rank of #26,827.

What does the Roda surname mean?

A place name-derived surname indicating origins from or near a town named Roda.

What does the Roda map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Roda bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.